1996 Subaru Legacy Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 123 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the fuel system of the 1996 Subaru Legacy, 7% of the 123 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,300 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1996 Subaru Legacy l with an intermittent engine miss with a p0304 (miss in cylinder 4) code. Most of the time it runs fine but when it misses, it is very violent. It seems to resonate. Changing speed usually makes it go away. When it first started, it only occurred once a month. Over the past year, and after several mechanics visits, it now occurs nearly every trip.I have replaced spark plugs (yes ngk), spark plug wires (Subaru original equipment), gas filter, air filter, coil, pcv valve, knock sensor, cam and crankshaft sensors. The injectors have been swapped between cylinders. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025205, filed 2003-06, 75,000 miles“Dt: the caller says his gas gauge will show empty when it gets down to half a tank. He states that it does not happen all the time. It has been happening for a month. Dealer and manufacturer have not been contacted yet. The consumer did contact the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to the dealer, but there would be a charge to inspect the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10136621, filed 2005-10, 79,000 miles“Stone gaurd protecting fuel filler pipe caused dirt to be trapped blocking drain and water to accumulate against filler pipe. Rusted filler pipe causing leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10133663, filed 2005-08, 144,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Subaru Legacy. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer. The dealer attributed the cause of failure to the wires inside the fuel tank being burnt because the internal connector had loose terminals. The fuel pump module was replaced. The current mileage is 85,000 and failure mileage was 84,600.”
NHTSA complaint #10195632, filed 2007-07, 84,600 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Subaru Legacy. While filling the gas tank the contact noticed a puddle of gas forming under the vehicle. The filler pipe rusted through and caused thin holes. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10189516, filed 2007-05, 110,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 | 8 | 7% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2006 | 16 | 18% |
| 2005 | 27 | 15% |
| 2004 | 5 | 10% |
| 2003 | 9 | 15% |
| 2002 | 15 | 28% |
| 2001 | 19 | 25% |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% |
| 1999 | 7 | 7% |
| 1998 | 8 | 7% |
| 1997 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 4 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 2 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Subaru Legacy
22 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology